Volunteering 401 - Spending Time at the Local Shelter

Fredonia Humane Society gets some help from local volunteers.

By Mark Foley, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary volunteer

We learned from several volunteers at the sanctuary just how much Best Friends members are involved with animal welfare groups near their own homes. Inspired by that example, we wanted to participate in our own community as well. For us, that meant spending time at Fredonia Humane Society in nearby Fredonia, Arizona.

Working with Fredonia Humane is the natural choice for us, as it is only a few miles from home. But there is another reason that this group is so dear to our hearts. Before we adopted our good-natured rottie mix, Aysha, Fredonia Humane rescued her after she was abandoned and found wandering near the highway.

Like so many other partners in the no-kill movement, Fredonia Humane exists entirely on donations and volunteer labor. Its proximity to Best Friends certainly helps, as many of those donating their time and talents are current and former Best Friends staff.

Fredonia Humane Society and Best Friends also enjoy a special working relationship, having recently teamed up to provide free spay/neuter services to residents of The Gap, an impoverished area within the Navajo Reservation in northern Arizona.

Pam and I, along with our two boys, have been volunteering at the Fredonia shelter for the past several weeks. Compared to the expertise of many other volunteers, our efforts are modest at best. But we’ve learned from experience that just showing up to scoop out the runs, take the dogs for walks, and help with the laundry and general clean up duties does make a difference.

Our most recent day volunteering is an important one, as several of the shelter residents are heading to Las Vegas to participate in a Pet Super Adoption sponsored by Best Friends and PetSmart Charities.

We arrive in the early afternoon to exercise the dogs and get them ready for the journey. We also use this time to say goodbye. Even though it has only been a few weeks, we’ve bonded with these wonderful dogs and know each of their individual personalities. Crystal is an affectionate and sensitive girl. Mac is a strong, calm and caring boy. Roger, shy and unsure when he first arrived, has gained confidence with each passing day. George and Kelly, a brother and sister who share a run, are playful and sweet. Dash is an energy-filled Aussie pup who loves attention.

These are the Fredonia Humane dogs we know who will make the trip to Las Vegas. They’ll be joined by another four adorable puppies from The Gap project and a few others living in nearby foster homes. With any luck, these animals will find the forever homes they so richly deserve.

We watch as the dogs load themselves into the van for the trip. As much as we’ll miss these precious souls, in a very special way we hope to never see them again.

Update:

11 of the 13 dogs that Fredonia Humane took to the event were adopted. That's an amazing result. Unfortunately, Crystal, the dog in the photo, didn't get adopted. She is still searching for her forever home.

Photo of Pam and Crystal by Mark Foley

Article posted by Brandi Bennett, Best Friends Network